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Unless a computer is playing back audio files or sound effects, it typically doesn't tick. If the MacBook you use at the office or on the road starts ticking like a pocket watch and locking up as soon as the ticking sound starts, check for hardware problems that could explain your symptoms and may require a service call.

Hard Drive

All MacBook models place the hard drive at the left front corner of the bottom half of the computer, which puts it under your left wrist while you're typing. If you hear a rhythmic ticking noise coming from that location, and the noise maintains the same rhythm although your computer appears to be frozen, start your troubleshooting procedures with an eye on your hard drive as the problem. You can press and hold the "Power" button to shut down your system.

Fan

MacBook designs position the cooling fan at the center of the width of the case near the hinged edge. If your MacBook runs hot and needs extra help cooling down, its fan kicks into a higher gear, which produces a loud whooshing sound. This can be a normal behavior if you play high-resolution Web videos or other content that places extra demands on your system. If the fan makes any other sound besides its normal -- and usually inaudible -- whir, shut down your MacBook and take it to a technician for a checkup.

Testing

Your MacBook shipped with a copy of Apple Hardware Test, a suite of diagnostics you can run from one of the DVDs included with your computer. Depending on the version of Mac OS X that your MacBook originally used, AHT appears on Mac OS X Install Disc 1 with OS X v10.5.4 or earlier, or Applications Install Disc 2 with Mac OS X v10.5.5 through 10.6.7. The application also may appear on your hard drive if it hasn't been reformatted. To use AHT from your hard drive, unplug all your external devices except your power adapter, then press and hold the "D" key as you start up the system. Select your language from the chooser screen, press "Return" and follow AHT's instructions when the program loads.

Other Considerations

If your hard drive has developed bad sectors that cause it to lock up every time your MacBook attempts to access data from those portions of the drive, you may notice symptoms that include ticking sounds from the drive's location, along with a frozen screen on which your mouse cursor appears immobile. When you observe these symptoms, investigate them further with a technician, even if the Apple Hardware Test gives your drive a clean bill of health.

About the Author

Elizabeth Mott has been a writer since 1983. Mott has extensive experience writing advertising copy for everything from kitchen appliances and financial services to education and tourism. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English from Indiana State University.